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Pet safety

Is Pistachio toxic to cats?

Pistacia vera

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pistachio as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Pistacia vera is not individually listed by the ASPCA toxic-plant database, and the ASPCA notes pistachio nuts are not strictly toxic; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The real hazards are high fat (vomiting, diarrhoea, risk of pancreatitis), shell ingestion (gut obstruction), and aflatoxin from mould on poorly stored nuts, which damages the liver. Keep nuts and shells away from pets.

What to do if your cat ate pistachio

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move pistachio out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of pistachio to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten pistachio, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is pistachio toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is pistachio toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists pistachio as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Pistacia vera is not individually listed by the ASPCA toxic-plant database, and the ASPCA notes pistachio nuts are not strictly toxic; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The real hazards are high fat (vomiting, diarrhoea, risk of pancreatitis), shell ingestion (gut obstruction), and aflatoxin from mould on poorly stored nuts, which damages the liver. Keep nuts and shells away from pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats pistachio?

Pistacia vera is not individually listed by the ASPCA toxic-plant database, and the ASPCA notes pistachio nuts are not strictly toxic; treat with caution and verify with a vet. The real hazards are high fat (vomiting, diarrhoea, risk of pancreatitis), shell ingestion (gut obstruction), and aflatoxin from mould on poorly stored nuts, which damages the liver. Keep nuts and shells away from pets. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to pistachio.

What should I do if my cat ate pistachio?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is pistachio toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Pistachio is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full pistachio pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to pistachio?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full pistachio pet-safety